Wayne Long's Blog: All Categories

Callaway Gardens is only about 30 minutes from Columbus GA and is a fun place for the whole family.   We spent the 4th of July at Callaway dancing to the swinging medallions, eating barbecue and watching the fireworks.   While there it struck me that all ages were having a great time.    There are not many places you can go where kids, teenagers, young adults, adults, and the older generation are all having a blast together.  

It is probably because of the wide range of activities.   You could swim, water ski, play volleyball, go to the high flying circus, dance, eat, drink, watch fireworks, or just sit and relax and soak up the sun.   Callaway is a well run - secure - fun place to hang out for the whole family.   … Read Full Post

Columbus Ga based AFLAC has completed the first phase of its planned 2000 employee expansion.   This first phase will employ 55O as the insurance phenom continues growing.   The last 15 years has been an explosion of growth for AFLAC in the U.S. and Japan.  Now expanding into other parts of the world and taking over market share in the United States - Columbus is lucky to have a company like AFLAC based here.   

Is a real estate designation worth anything to a Realtor or their clients?     Many just call it alphabet soup.     I for one believe that national designations are worth a lot.   Why?  Because the agent took the time to become better educated in his or her field.   GRI or CRS classes are tough, expensive, and time consuming.   An agent willing to go through the classes is an agent who is dedicated. 

I want my REALTOR  to be dedicated!                                     

Additionally during this process they learn from some of the best real estate teachers in the country - so they pick up things that other agents never have the opportunity to learn.  These agents are going to be educated about contracts, legal matters, inspectons and even negotiating…

One of the most important reasons to invest in Real Estate is because it is "real property" that can be touched, improved, lived in, rented out and resold.   Every one needs a home.  

It is probably the safest - steady as she goes investment out there.   Only 2 times in the last 40 years has Real Estate decreased in price nationally.   In both those years the decrease was less than 2%.   Not at all like the the crash stocks took in 2000 and the years following.   Many people would say that it only averages going up 5% a year.  This is true but look at the example below and you may get a different perspective of how the 5% effects your net worth.  

Probably the thing that really sets real estate apart from other investments is the ability to leverage…

One of the perks our Real Estate Company provides is a Cruise each year for their top producing Realtors from Columbus and Phenix City.    Donna and I were benefactors of that trip this year.    We cruised from Fort Lauderdale to Key West and on to Cozumel.  

We had a great time to relax and experience new things.  In Cozumel we took an excursion where we zip lined, repelled off a 60 foot tower, and snorkeled.    In Key West we had a Cheeseburger in Paradise and a Margarita at Jimmy Buffet's Margarittaville .   

In Real Estate it is easy to work 7 days a week.  It was a nice break to get out of Columbus for a few days  and hang out with friends and co workers.  From Columbus Ga - it is only an 1 hour and 15 minutes to Atlanta International airport…

Callaway Gardens is only about 30 miles north of Columbus Ga.   It is one of the coolest things about living in Columbus.  We have a season pass to the gardens which includes entrance into events like this.   The family pass is only about $100 and is a bargain in my book.   Fantasy on lights at Christmas - Gardens in the Spring - Masters Ski on Memorial Day - July 4th on the beach with live beach music - Hot Air Balloon Festival in the Fall.   Memorial Day weekend is always  when the Masters is held and the top skiers in the world come to show off their slolam, trick, and wakeboard skills.

One of my favorite places to hang out in Columbus is the downtown area.   The city saw fit to do city scapes in the downtown area.   This along with the preservation of the old mills and foundries along the river make for a relaxing and beautiful area to eat outside or enjoy a beverage with friends.   Columbus has done a really good job of preserving the historic district as well! 

All kinds of special events are planned downtown as well like: outdoor concerts, art displays and family outings. 

There is even an internet "cloud" downtown so you can sit outside and work from you laptop if you don't have time to play! 

These are just some the Top 10 reasons to live and work in Columbus GA…

I recently visited Zillow to the much advertised home value website to put my Realtor profile on their site.  While I was there I tried out their system.  I really doesn't work at all in Columbus.  I have been told in some areas it is pretty close in estimating a neighborhood but that in other areas it is as much as 40% off.   It seems to me that you need a local expert to know the differences between houses and neighborhoods as well as local market conditions at the time.   Zillow has no way of seeing into houses or even knowing if they are brick or frame.   They certainly have no market feel.   It is going to be interesting to see where Zillow goes from here but for now I am very unimpressed.   Read Full Post